US20180311080A1 - Incontinence Detection System Capable of Identifying Urinary or Fecal Incontinence - Google Patents

Abstract

An incontinence detection system includes an incontinence detection pad underneath a patient's pelvic area for detecting an incontinence event. The incontinence detection system further includes a moisture detection sensor, a gas detection sensor, and a reader. The moisture detection sensor is embedded in the incontinence detection pad for detecting a presence of moisture in incontinence detection pad. The gas detection sensor is positioned near the incontinence detection pad for detecting a presence of targeted gas, such as methane. The reader is communicatively coupled to the moisture detection sensor and the gas detection sensor to receive moisture data and gas data, respectively. The reader is configured to determine a type of the incontinence event based on the received moisture data and the gas data and transmit a signal indicative of the type of incontinence event to a server.

Description

• The present application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/491,466, filed Apr. 28, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
• The present disclosure relates to incontinence pads that sense patient incontinence. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to disposable incontinence pads of hospital beds, medical beds, or other types of beds in which the disposable incontinence pads are designed to absorb liquid in case of incontinent events.
• In a care facility, such as a hospital or a nursing home, patients are often placed on patient support apparatuses for an extended period of time. Some patients who are positioned on the patient support apparatuses may have a risk of developing certain skin conditions, such as bed sores (also known as pressure sores or decubitus ulcers), due to heat and moisture present at the interface of the patient and the surface of a bed mattress. In an effort to mitigate or prevent such conditions, various devices have been proposed for detecting the presence of moisture, i.e., the presence of urinary incontinence and/or fecal incontinence. While various incontinence pads have been developed, in certain applications there is still room for improvement. Thus, a need persists for further contributions in this area of technology.
SUMMARY
• The present application discloses one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter:
• According to the present disclosure, an incontinence detection system may include an incontinence detection pad that may have a moisture detection sensor, a gas detection sensor that may be positioned near the incontinence detection pad, and a reader. The moisture detection sensor may be configured to detect a presence of moisture in the incontinence detection pad and the gas detection sensor may be configured to detect a presence of targeted gas. The reader may be communicatively coupled to the moisture detection sensor and the gas detection sensor to receive moisture data and gas data, respectively. The reader may be further configured to determine a type of incontinence based on the moisture data and gas data and may transmit a signal indicative of the type of incontinence event to a server.
• In some embodiments, the type of incontinence event may include a urinary incontinence and a fecal incontinence. The moisture data produced by the moisture detection sensor may indicate whether moisture is detected in the incontinence detection pad. The gas data produced by the gas detection sensor may indicate whether the targeted gas is detected in surrounding air near the incontinence detection pad. The targeted gas may be methane, for example.
• In some embodiments, the reader may be further configured to determine a level of the targeted gas that may be present in surrounding air. The reader may be further configured to determine whether the level of the targeted gas exceeds a predefined threshold and may issue an alert notification in response to a determination that the level of the targeted gas is greater than the predefined threshold. The predefined threshold may be based on a level of the targeted gas normally found in the atmosphere.
• In some embodiments, the moisture detection sensor may be a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag and a plurality of electrodes may be coupled to the RFID tag. The moisture detection sensor may be configured to communicate with the reader that may evaluate the transmitted signal to determine the status of the incontinence detection pad.
• In some embodiments, the reader may be an RFID reader. The reader may be further configured to wirelessly communicate with the server to alert a caregiver of the status of the incontinence detection pad. The server may be included in a nurse call system and/or the server may be included in an electronic medical record (EMR) system. The server may be configured to communicate with a mobile device or a smart device of a caregiver.
• In some embodiments, the reader may be further configured to communicate with the server to alert a caregiver of the status of the incontinence detection pad via a wired connection. The wired connection may include a nurse call cable, for example.
• In a second aspect of the present disclosure, an incontinence detection system may include an incontinence detection pad, a first moisture detection sensor, a second moisture detection, and a reader. The first moisture detection sensor may be coupled to the incontinence detection pad and may be configured to detect a presence of moisture in the incontinence detection pad. The second moisture detection sensor may be coupled to the first moisture detection sensor via a tunnel that may be defined within a fluid impermeable material. The tunnel may contain a moisture wicking material. The reader may be communicatively coupled to the first and second moisture detection sensors to receive moisture data. The reader may be configured to transmit a signal that may be indicative of a type of incontinence event to a server.
• In some embodiments, the first moisture detection sensor may be configured to transmit first moisture data to the reader and the second moisture detection sensor may be configured to transmit second moisture data to the reader. The first and second moisture data may be indicative of a presence or absence of moisture that may be detected at the corresponding sensor.
• In some embodiments, the reader may be configured to determine a time between a time at which the first moisture sensor may have detected a presence of moisture and a time at which the second moisture sensor may have detected a presence of moisture. The reader may be configured to determine a travel time of detected moisture between the first moisture sensor and the second moisture sensor. The travel time may be a time difference between a time at which the first moisture sensor may have detected a presence of moisture and a time at which the second moisture sensor may have detected a presence of moisture. The moisture data may be timestamped when transmitted to the reader. The reader may be configured to (i) compare the travel time with a predefined threshold and (ii) determine a type of incontinence event based on the travel time between the first and second moisture detection sensors.
• In a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method of detecting a type of an incontinence event may be provided. The method may include (i) receiving moisture data from a moisture detection sensor that may be contained in an incontinence detection pad, (ii) receiving gas data from a gas detection sensor that may be positioned near the incontinence detection pad, (iii) analyzing the moisture data to detect a presence of moisture in the incontinence detection pad, (iv) analyzing the gas data to detect a presence of targeted gas, (v) determining a type of incontinence based on the moisture data and gas data, and (vi) transmitting a signal indicative of the type of detected incontinence event to a server.
• In some embodiments, the type of incontinence event may include a urinary incontinence and a fecal incontinence. The moisture data produced by the moisture detection sensor may indicate whether moisture is detected in the incontinence detection pad. The gas data produced by the gas detection sensor may indicate whether the targeted gas is detected in surrounding air near the incontinence detection pad. The targeted gas may be methane. However, the targeted gas may be any gas that may be present in human flatus or feces.
• In some embodiments, the method may further include determining a level of the targeted gas that may be present in air surrounding the gas detection sensor, determining whether the level of the targeted gas is greater than a predefined threshold, and issuing an alert notification in response to a determination that the level of the targeted gas is greater than the predefined threshold. The predefined threshold may be based on a base level of the targeted gas that may be normally found in the atmosphere.
• In some embodiments, the method may further include wirelessly communicating with the server to alert a caregiver of the status of the incontinence detection pad. The moisture detection sensor may be a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag and a plurality of electrodes may be coupled to the RFID tag.
• In some embodiments, the server may be included in a nurse call system and/or in an electronic medical record (EMR) system. The server may be configured to communicate with a mobile device or a smart device of a caregiver. The method may further include communicating with the server to alert a caregiver of the status of the incontinence detection pad via a wired connection. The wired connection may include a nurse call cable, for example.
• Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a incontinence detection system including an incontinence detection pad positioned on a patient support apparatus and a gas detection sensor positioned on the patient support apparatus;
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of an incontinence detection pad for detecting moisture presence indicative of an incontinence event and determining a type of incontinence;
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a communication system formed by components of the incontinence detection system ofFIG. 1 and components of a network of a healthcare facility;
• FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of at least one embodiment of a method for determining a type of an incontinence event using the incontinence detection pad and gas detection sensor ofFIGS. 1-3;
• FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a portion of a second embodiment of an incontinence detection pad having first and second sensors for detecting moisture presence indicative of an incontinence event and determining a type of incontinence;
• FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 5 showing a first alternative construction of a fluid impermeable material of the incontinence detection pad isolating the second sensor from the overlying layers of the incontinence detection pad;
• FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line B-B ofFIG. 5 showing the first alternative construction of the fluid impermeable material of the incontinence detection pad forming a tunnel having an opening adjacent the first sensor and extending to the second sensor;
• FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 5 showing a second alternative construction of a fluid impermeable material of the incontinence detection pad forming a sheath within which the second sensor is situated and which isolates the second sensor from the overlying layers of the incontinence detection pad; and
• FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along section line B-B ofFIG. 5 showing the sheath of the second alternative construction of the fluid impermeable material of the incontinence detection pad forming a tunnel having an opening adjacent the first sensor and extending to the second sensor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to one or more illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.
• Referring now toFIG. 1, an illustrativeincontinence detection system100 is configured to detect an incontinence event of a patient and determine a type of incontinence (e.g., urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence). It should be appreciated that by determining the type of incontinence, a caregiver can determine whether the patient requires immediate attention. For example, the caregiver may attend to a patient with a higher priority fecal incontinence. The illustrativeincontinence detection system100 is used with apatient support apparatus102 and includes anincontinence detection pad104, agas detection sensor106, areader108, and, optionally, aserver110. The illustrativepatient support apparatus102 is embodied as a hospital bed. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, thepatient support apparatus102 may be embodied as a residential bed, a chair, a wheelchair, a mattress, a stretcher, a patient transport device, or any other type of person support apparatus.
• The illustrativeincontinence detection pad104 is configured to wick or absorb any excreta discharged from a patient's body, such as sweat, urine, or feces, to draw the moisture away from apatient112. To do so, theincontinence detection pad104 is adapted to underlie thepatient112 lying on thepatient support apparatus102. Specifically, theincontinence detection pad104 is positioned atop thepatient support apparatus102 and configured to underlie a pelvic region of thepatient112 supported on thepatient support apparatus102. The pelvic region is most susceptible to moisture buildup from incontinence events. In other embodiments, theincontinence detection pad104 may be integrated into thepatient support apparatus102, such as being integrated into a mattress. In still other embodiments, theincontinence detection pad104 may be integrated within an undergarment or other article of clothing or theincontinence detection pad104, itself, is a diaper or disposable undergarment.
• Theincontinence detection pad104 further includes amoisture detection sensor114 for detecting presence of moisture in theincontinence detection pad104. The illustrativemoisture detection sensor114 includes a plurality ofelectrodes118 and amoisture sensor tag116. The plurality ofelectrodes118 is connected to and extends from themoisture sensor tag116, which is discussed in detail below. In the illustrative embodiment, themoisture sensor tag116 is embodied as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)tag116. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, themoisture detection sensor114 may be any sensor that is capable of detecting moisture presence. TheRFID tag116 used in theincontinence pad104 is a passive tag or chip that communicates with an associatedreader108 by using the electromagnetic field generated by one or more antennae coupled to thereader108 to power theRFID tag116. In some embodiments, a semi-passive oractive RFID tag116 may be used. TheRFID tag116 is configured to communicate withRFID reader108 to send moisture data, and thereader108 or other processing circuitry determines whether theincontinence detection pad104 is wet or dry by evaluating the moisture data received from theRFID tag116. Thereader108 is further configured to periodically communicate with theserver110 of theincontinence detection system100 to transmit the moisture data indicative of a moisture status of theincontinence detection pad104. In some embodiments, themoisture sensor118 may only transmit the moisture data to thereader108 when detecting moisture presence in theincontinence detection pad104.
• In addition, theincontinence detection system100 further includes thegas detection sensor106 that communicates with thereader108. In the illustrative embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1, thegas detection sensor106 is position on thepatient support apparatus102 close to the patient's pelvic area. It should be appreciated that thegas detector sensor106 may be positioned at any suitable location on thepatient support apparatus102. For example, in some embodiments, thegas detector sensor106 may be attached to a frame of thepatient support apparatus102 that supports the mattress. In other embodiments, thegas detector sensor106 may be attached to one or more siderails of thepatient support apparatus102.
• Thegas detection sensor106 is configured to detect a presence of targeted gas in human flatus and/or feces, such as methane, in the surrounding air. For example, in some embodiments, thegas detection sensor106 may be an air quality sensor. In the illustrative embodiment, thegas detection sensor106 is configured to periodically communicate with thereader108 to transmit gas data indicative of presence or absence of the targeted gas. Thereader108 or other processing circuitry determines whether the targeted gas is detected in air surrounding thegas detection sensor106 by evaluating the received gas data. It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments,incontinence detection system100 may include a second reader (not shown) for thegas detection sensor106. In such embodiments, thegas detection sensor106 may communicate with the second reader to transmit the gas data to be evaluated by the second reader. In some embodiments, thegas detection sensor106 may determine whether the targeted gas is present and only transmit the gas data to thereader108 when detecting targeted gas presence.
• Additionally, in the illustrative embodiment, thereader108 determines a level of the targeted gas present in air surrounding thegas detection sensor106 based on the received gas data and determines whether the determined level of the targeted gas is greater than a predefined level or threshold. It should be appreciated that the predefined threshold is based on a base level of the targeted gas normally found in the atmosphere. It should be appreciated that the predefined level may be manually adjusted based on the level of the targeted gas detected in air surrounding the gas detected106 and/or the level of the targeted gas detected in flatus of thepatient112 supported on thepatient support apparatus102. The illustrativegas detection sensor106 may periodically transmit the gas data and/or the level of the targeted gas to theserver110. In some embodiments, thegas detection sensor106 may transmit the gas data and/or the level of the targeted gas to theserver110 when the level of the targeted gas exceeds the predefined threshold.
• In the illustrative embodiment, theserver110 is configured to receive a detection of an incontinence event and a type of incontinence from thereader108. For example, theserver110 may be embodied as a server included in a nurse call system and/or an EMR (electronic medical record) system or even a server configured to communicate with a caregiver's mobile or smart device. In some embodiments, thereader108 may communicate via Wi-Fi or other known wireless communication equipment and protocols. Alternatively or additionally, thereader108 may communicate the incontinence event via a wired connection, such as a nurse call cable. In some embodiments, theincontinence detection system100 may further include a local alert (not shown) onbed102 ornearby bed102 for alerting detected incontinence events. In the illustrative embodiment, thereader108 is configured to determine a type of incontinence based on the moisture data and the gas data received from themoisture sensor114 and thegas detection sensor106, respectively, which is described in detail below. It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, thereader108 may transmit the moisture data and gas data to theserver110 to be evaluated. In such embodiments, theserver110 may evaluated the received moisture and gas data to determine the presence of moisture and/or targeted gas.
• Referring toFIG. 2, an illustrative embodiment showing how themoisture detection sensor114 for detecting moisture can be incorporated into anincontinence detection pad104. Theincontinence detection pad104 includes atop layer122 including a non-woven material, an optionalacquisition distribution layer124, anabsorbent layer126, abarrier layer128, and themoisture detection sensor114 implemented as a part of thebarrier layer128.
• The non-woventop layer122 is typically a polymer-based material and is made from bonded fibers and/or filaments. The non-woventop layer122 provides comfort and softness for a patient on theincontinence detection pad104.
• The optionalacquisition distribution layer124 includes a moisture-wicking material that is horizontally oriented within theacquisition distribution layer124. For example, in the illustrative embodiment, the moisture-wicking material is nonwoven and non-linear polymeric or pulp fibers that are horizontally oriented into a nonwoven web structure. The orientation of the moisture-wicking material of theacquisition distribution layer124 is adapted to provide capillary action or wicking properties to direct moisture in a horizontal direction to draw the moisture toward peripheral regions of theacquisition distribution layer124. In some embodiments, the moisture-wicking material may form a density gradient across theacquisition distribution layer124 such that a density of the moisture-wicking material increases from a center to the peripheral regions of theacquisition distribution layer124. In such embodiments, the density gradient of the moisture-wicking material provides a further capillary action to direct moisture in the horizontal direction to draw the moisture from the center toward the peripheral regions of theacquisition distribution layer124. The remaining moisture or liquid in theacquisition distribution layer124 travels downwardly (e.g., by the force of gravity) into theabsorbent layer126. An exemplary incontinence detection pad that may be used inincontinence detection system100 is shown and described in U.S. Patent Application No. 62/456,903, which was filed Feb. 9, 2017 and which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
• It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the optionalacquisition distribution layer124 includes a moisture-wicking material that is vertically oriented within theacquisition distribution layer124 to draw the moisture toward theabsorbent layer126. In yet other embodiments, theacquisition distribution layer124 may be divided into two layers: a first layer (not shown) and a second layer (not shown) positioned underneath the first layer. In such embodiments, the first layer may include a moisture-wicking material that is vertically oriented within the first layer, and the second layer may include a moisture-wicking material that is horizontally oriented within the second layer. The first layer is adapted to provide capillary action or wicking properties to direct moisture in a vertical direction toward the second layer. Whereas, the second layer is adapted to provide capillary action or wicking properties to direct moisture in a horizontal direction to draw the moisture toward peripheral regions of theacquisition distribution layer124. In some embodiments, the second layer may be positioned on top of the first layer. The remaining moisture or liquid in theacquisition distribution layer124 travels downwardly (e.g., by the force of gravity) into theabsorbent layer126.
• Theabsorbent layer126 includes an absorbent material, such as a three-dimensional fibrous or woven material. For example, theabsorbent layer126 may be made of a super absorbent polymer (SAP) material which provides 3-5 times more moisture absorption than the materials of the acquisition distribution layers124 described above. In some embodiments, an increasing density gradient is also formed downwardly or vertically from an upper surface to a bottom surface of theabsorbent layer126. Such vertical arrangement of the absorbent material provides capillary action or wicking properties to direct moisture in a vertical direction. Theabsorbent layer126 is configured to absorb the moisture and draw the moisture downwardly toward themoisture detection sensor114 of thebarrier layer128.
• Thebarrier layer128 is made of a fluid impermeable material which provides a barrier to prevent moisture penetration to a mattress support surface or frame beneath theincontinence detection pad104. For example, in the illustrative embodiment, the impermeable material is a polyethylene (PE) sheet. In other embodiments, the impermeable material may be polypropylene (PP) sheets and/or polyurethane (PU) sheets. Thebarrier layer128 may or may not be breathable. In some embodiments, thebarrier layer128 is substantially waterproof. As discussed above, thebarrier layer128 further includes amoisture detection sensor114 for detecting moisture presence and, in some embodiments, moisture volume.
• As described above, themoisture detection sensor114 includes theRFID tag116 and the plurality ofelectrodes118 connected to and extending from theRFID tag116. In the illustrative embodiment, the plurality ofelectrodes118 is printed on thebarrier layer128. Theelectrodes118 are made of a conductive material, such as carbon, silver, copper, zinc and graphene.
• In case of an incontinence event, the patient's excreta travels downwardly (e.g., by the force of gravity) past thetop layer122 into theacquisition distribution layer124. Theacquisition distribution layer124 is configured to provide the moisture wicking in the direction towards the peripheral region of theincontinence detection pad104. The remaining moisture or liquid in theacquisition distribution layer124 travels downwardly (e.g., by the force of gravity) into theabsorbent layer126. As discussed above, theabsorbent layer126 is configured to absorb the moisture and draw the moisture downwardly toward a bottom of theabsorbent layer126 towards themoisture detection sensor114 of thebarrier layer128.
• Referring now toFIG. 3, acommunications system300 is configured to communicate with themoisture detection sensor114 and thegas detection sensor106 of theincontinence detection system100. AnRFID reader108 employs a pair ofantennas304,306 that are signaled by theRFID reader108 to periodically poll themoisture detection sensor114 and thegas detection sensor106 to report a moisture event and/or a gas event has occurred. In other embodiments,gas sensor106 coupled to thereader108 via a wired connection for communication therewith. Energy fromantennas304,306 is used by thepassive RFID tag116 to power it to return incontinence detection information back to either or both ofantennas304,306. The detected event is relayed to acontroller308 which is configured with software to communicate the incontinence detection information to an appropriate caregiver or system. In the illustrative embodiment, thecontroller308 is also coupled to user interface (UI)indicators316, such as lights or a graphical display on a patient bed or on a room wall or other piece of nearby equipment, to indicate locally whether theincontinence detection pad104 is wet or dry. Additionally, thecontroller308 is also connected to apower source312 and a wireless communications device, such as a Wi-Fi antenna314, in order to communicate the sensed incontinence event with other associated systems such as anurse call system310 via awireless access point318 andnetwork320. It should be appreciated that thenurse call system310 is communicatively coupled to thecontroller308.
• In the illustrative embodiment, the sensor system orincontinence detection pad104 andcommunication system300 are implemented as part of a remote alert system. As described above, theincontinence detection pad104 is placed between a patient and an underlying mattress of apatient bed102 beneath the patient's pelvic area. In some embodiments, theincontinence detection pad104 is integrated into a mattress to form a part thereof, but is removable for replacement with a cleanincontinence detection pad104 after an incontinence event occurs. Theantennas304,306 ofcommunications system300 are mounted to a frame ofbed102, such as being mounted to an upper surface of a mattress support deck.
• In the illustrative embodiment, thecontroller308 is coupled to the frame of thebed102. In some embodiments, thecontroller308 may be positioned in a housing that also contains theRFID reader108. In other embodiments, separate housings are used to contain these elements. It should be appreciated that theantennas304,306 are in communication with thereader108 and with thecontroller308. Upon detection of a moisture event, thecontroller308 communicates with circuitry ofbed102 to activate one or more in-room alerts such as indicators or illuminating devices (not shown) that are located onbed102 and that are easily viewed by a caregiver. Additionally or alternatively, thecontroller308 may communicate the event to devices for remote alerting such as a status board or other visual display of a hospital information system, a hallway call light such as a light in a dome light or alert light assembly, a computer monitor of a nurse call system and/or an electronic medical records (EMR) system, or even a caregiver's mobile device.
• Thecontroller308 communicates the moisture event via Wi-Fi antenna314 or other known wireless communication equipment and protocols in some embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, thecontroller308 communicates the moisture event via a wired connection, such as a 37-pin nurse call cable. It will be appreciated that a healthcare facilities' network infrastructure serves as an intermediary betweensystem300 and the one or more remote alerting devices with whichsystem300 communicates. Thus, wireless access points, gateways, routers, cabling, connection ports, jacks, and the like are the type of equipment.
• In some embodiments, information indicating that the pad is dry or that no moisture event has occurred is communicated bycontroller308 to one or more remote computer devices, such as an EMR computer, for storage in a patient's EMR. Such information is communicated at pre-set intervals, such as every hour or every half hour or more or less frequently, for example. The interval for communicating such information is programmable by caregivers in some embodiments. Further alternatively or additionally, a caregiver selects a user input such as an icon on a graphical display of a patient bed or at remote computer to command the reader to poll the incontinence pad to obtain information regarding the wet/dry status of the pad. By permitting the caregiver to determine when the incontinence pad status information is received, alert fatigue is avoided because the caregiver receives the information when the caregiver is able to act on it.
• Referring now toFIG. 4, in use, thereader108 of theincontinence detection system100 executes a method400 for determining a type of an incontinence event. The method400 begins atblock402 in which thereader108 receives moisture data from themoisture detection sensor114 indicating a moisture status of theincontinence detection pad104. Inblock404, thereader108 receives gas data from thegas detection sensor106 indicating presence or absence of targeted gas which is present in feces. Inblock406, thereader108 determines whether the moisture is detected in theincontinence detection pad104 based on the received moisture data from themoisture detection sensor114. Inblock408, thereader108 determines whether the targeted gas is detected in theincontinence detection pad104 based on the received gas data from thegas detection sensor106.
• Inblock410, if thereader108 determines that the moisture is detected in theincontinence detection pad104, the method400 advances to block412. If not, the method400 advances to block414.
• Inblock412, thereader108 further determines whether the targeted gas is detected based on the gas data received from thegas detection sensor106. If thereader108 determines that the targeted gas is not detected, the method400 skips ahead to block420 in which thereader108 issues a urinary incontinence alert(s). If, however, thereader108 determines that the targeted gas is present, the method400 advances to block416 in which thereader108 determines a level or amount of the detected targeted gas.
• Inblock418, thereader108 further determines whether the determined level of the targeted gas exceeds a predefined threshold. For example, as described above, the predefined threshold may be a base level or base amount of the targeted gas normally found in the atmosphere. If thereader108 determines that the level of targeted gas does not exceed the predefined threshold, the method400 advances to block420 in which thereader108 issues a urinary incontinence alert(s). If, however, thereader108 determines that the level of targeted gas exceeds the predefined threshold, the method400 advances to block422 in which the reader issues a fecal incontinence alert(s).
• When the moisture is not detected in theincontinence pad104, inblock414, thereader108 further determines whether the targeted gas is detected inblock408 based on the gas data received from thegas detection sensor106. If the targeted gas is not present, the method400 loops back to block402 to continue receiving and monitoring the moisture data and gas data from themoisture detection sensor114 andgas detection sensor106, respectively. If, however, the targeted gas is detected, the method advances to block424 in which thereader108 further determines the level of the detected targeted gas.
• Inblock426, thereader108 determines whether the determined level of the detected targeted gas exceeds a predefined threshold. If thereader108 determines that the level of the targeted gas does not exceed the predefined threshold, the method400 loops back to block402 to continue receiving and monitoring the moisture data and gas data from themoisture detection sensor114 andgas detection sensor106, respectively. If, however, thereader108 determines that the level of the targeted gas exceeds the predefined threshold, the method400 advances to block428 in which thereader108 issues a fecal caution alert(s), which indicates that thepatient112 has potentially expelled feces. For example, the fecal caution alert is configured to alert the caregiver of flatus activity of thepatient112, which may infer a likelihood of a defecation event currently or potentially in the near future.
• While the method400 has been described above as being carried out byreader108, it is within the scope of this disclosure for some or all of the steps of method400 to be carried out byserver110,controller308,nurse call computer310 or some other computer ofnetwork320.
• Referring now toFIGS. 5-9, another embodiment of anincontinence detection system500 is shown. The embodiment ofFIG. 5 includes many of the same features described above in regard toFIGS. 1 and 2. The same reference numbers are used inFIG. 5 to identify features that are the same or similar to those described above in regard toFIGS. 1 and 2. The illustrativeincontinence detection system500 illustrates how anincontinence detection pad502 for detecting an incontinence event can further determine a type of the incontinence event. To do so, theincontinence detection system500 includes theincontinence detection pad502, areader108, and aserver110. It should be appreciated that the characteristics of the layers of theincontinence detection pad502 is similar to themoisture detection pad104.
• As shown inFIG. 5, theincontinence detection pad502 includes a firstmoisture detection sensor504, asecond detection sensor506 connected to the firstmoisture detection sensor504 via a moisture-wickingmaterial508, and a fluidimpermeable material510 that is configured to isolate or protect thesecond detection sensor506 and the moisture-wickingmaterial508. In the illustrative embodiment, the first and secondmoisture detection sensors504,506 are coupled tobarrier layer128 and the firstmoisture detection sensor504 is generally positioned at the center of theincontinence detection pad502. It should be appreciated that a pelvic region of a patient is generally positioned at the center of the incontinence detection pad as well.
• The moisture-wickingmaterial508 is configured to draw the moisture from the firstmoisture detection sensor504 to the secondmoisture detection sensor506, which is positioned at the peripheral side of themoisture detection pad104. In the illustrative embodiment, the moisture-wickingmaterial508 covers thesecond detection sensor506 to allow thesecond detection sensor506 to detect moisture from the moisture-wickingmaterial508. It should be appreciated that the fluidimpermeable material510 is configured to create a barrier between the moisture-wickingmaterial508 and theabsorbent layer126 to prevent the moisture-wickingmaterial508 from being in direct contact with the moisture present in theabsorbent layer126 of theincontinence detection pad502. In other words, the fluidimpermeable material510 ensures that the detection of moisture by the secondmoisture detection sensor506 is limited to the detection of moisture wicked from the firstmoisture detection sensor504, which is discussed in more detail below.
• In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 6-7, the fluidimpermeable material510 may be embodied as a thin film-like material510 that is attached to thebarrier layer128 to create a tunnel between the thin film-like material510 and thebarrier layer128 in which the moisture-wickingmaterial508 and thesecond detection sensor506 reside. As shown inFIG. 7, themoisture wicking material508 is exposed to theabsorbent layer126 and thefirst sensor504 at anopening516 adjacent to the firstmoisture detection sensor504. It should be appreciated that the moisture-wickingmaterial508 is horizontally orientated within the tunnel. Themoisture wicking material508 is configured to wick moisture that is present at theopening516 near the firstmoisture detection sensor504, which is likely to be detected by the firstmoisture detection sensor504, toward the secondmoisture detection sensor506. Thus, the moisture reaches the secondmoisture detection sensor506 only through the tunnel after wicking through themoisture wicking material508 over a period of time.
• Alternatively, in other embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 8-9, the fluidimpermeable material510 may be embodied as a fluidimpermeable sheath512, such as plastic, that encases themoisture wicking material508 and thesecond detection sensor506. In such embodiments, the fluidimpermeable sheath512 serves as a tunnel through which moisture moves from region of the firstmoisture detection sensor504 to the secondmoisture detection sensor506. As shown inFIG. 9, themoisture wicking material508 is exposed to theabsorbent layer126 at anopening514 adjacent the firstmoisture detection sensor504. It should be appreciated that the moisture-wickingmaterial508 is horizontally orientated within the tunnel. Themoisture wicking material508 is configured to wick moisture that is present at theopening514 near the firstmoisture detection sensor504, which is likely to be detected by the firstmoisture detection sensor504, toward the secondmoisture detection sensor506 over a period of time.
• Referring back toFIG. 5, in the event of an incontinence event, the fluid travels downwardly toward the firstmoisture detection sensor504 which is on thebarrier layer128. As discussed above, thebarrier layer128 is a liquid impermeable layer. As such, as the incontinence fluid further travels downwardly toward the firstmoisture detection sensor504 throughabsorbent layer126, the secondmoisture detection sensor506 is not directly accessible from theabsorbent layer126. Instead, when the incontinence fluid reaches the firstmoisture detection sensor504, the moisture contacts themoisture wicking material508 exposed adjacent the firstmoisture detection sensor504. Themoisture wicking material508 provides a capillary action to direct incontinence fluid in a horizontal direction to draw the incontinence fluid from the firstmoisture detection sensor504 toward the secondmoisture detection sensor506. As such, the moisture detection by the secondmoisture detection sensor506 is limited to the detection of moisture drawn from the firstmoisture detection sensor504.
• When the incontinence fluid reaches the firstmoisture detection sensor504, themoisture sensor tag116 of the firstmoisture detection sensor504 transmits first moisture data to thereader108. It should be appreciated that the first moisture data may be timestamped. Subsequently, the fluid travels within the tunnel along themoisture wicking material508 toward thesecond moisture sensor504, where thesecond moisture sensor504 subsequently detects the moisture. Themoisture sensor tag116′ of thesecond moisture sensor506 then transmits second moisture data to thereader108. It should be appreciated that the second moisture data may also be timestamped. Thereader108 is configured to determine the time difference between the timestamp of the first moisture data and the timestamp of the second moisture data. In some embodiments, thereader108 is configured to determine the time difference between the time at which the first moisture data is received by thereader108 and the time at which the second moisture data is received by thereader108.
• Based on the time difference, the type of incontinence is determined. It should be appreciated that a different type of fluid has a different travel time along themoisture wicking material508 due to different viscosity of the fluid. In other words, the travel time correlates with the viscosity of the fluid of detected incontinence event. For example, a fluid with higher viscosity will travel slower along themoisture wicking material508 compared to a fluid with lower viscosity. As such, the fluid with higher viscosity will have a longer travel time from the firstmoisture detection sensor504 to the secondmoisture detection sensor506 than the fluid with lower viscosity. It should be appreciated that fecal incontinence has higher viscosity than urinary incontinence. Also, it should be noted that the fecal incontinence has moisture or fluid leeching out of it over a period of time such that the leeched moisture is what wicks throughmaterial508 within the tunnel toward secondmoisture detection sensor506 rather than the fecal matter, itself. However, this leeched moisture from the feces is considered to still be “feces” detected by sensor206 according to this disclosure.
• In some embodiments, thereader108 may determine the travel time between which the first and secondmoisture detection sensors504,506 detect moisture and compare the travel time with a predefined threshold time. In such embodiments, thereader108 determines whether the travel time is shorter or longer than the predefined threshold time. If the travel time is shorter than the threshold time, thereader108 determines that the incontinence event is a urinary incontinence event. On the other hand, if the travel time is longer than the threshold time, thereader108 determines that the incontinence event is a fecal incontinence event.
• It should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, thereader108 may compare the travel time with a urinary incontinence threshold time and a fecal incontinence threshold time. If the travel time is less than the urinary incontinence threshold time, thereader108 issues alerts to a caregiver to check theincontinence detection pad502. For example, the travel time may be less than the urinary incontinence threshold time when the amount of fluid present in theincontinence detection pad502 is not enough. In some embodiments, thereader108 may ignore such detection if the travel time is less than the urinary incontinence threshold time and continue to monitor the subsequent detection of an incontinence event.
• If the travel time is between the urinary incontinence threshold time and the fecal incontinence threshold time, thereader108 determines that the detected incontinence event is a urinary incontinence event. On the other hand, if the travel time is longer the fecal incontinence threshold time, thereader108 determines that the detected incontinence event is a fecal incontinence event. Therefore, based on the time difference between the time at which thefirst moisture sensor502 detected the presence of moisture and the time at which thesecond moisture sensor504 detected the presence of moisture, thereader108 can determine the type of incontinence and generate a corresponding alert notification.
• Thereader108 is further configured to periodically communicate with theserver110 of theincontinence detection system500 to transmit the moisture data indicative of the moisture status (i.e., the presence of incontinence event and the type of the incontinence event) of theincontinence detection pad104. In some embodiments, thereader108 may only transmit the moisture data to theserver110 when moisture is detected in theincontinence detection pad104.
• While the analysis of the travel time is described above as being carried out byreader108, it is within the scope of this disclosure for some or all of the travel time analysis to be carried out byserver110,controller308,nurse call computer310 or some other computer ofnetwork320.
• Although certain illustrative embodiments and graphical illustrations have been described in detail above, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of this disclosure as described and as defined in the following claims.

Claims (23)

1. An incontinence detection system comprising:

an incontinence detection pad having a moisture detection sensor, the moisture detection sensor being configured to detect a presence of moisture in the incontinence detection pad;

a gas detection sensor positioned near the incontinence detection pad and configured to detect a presence of targeted gas; and

a reader communicatively coupled to the moisture detection sensor and the gas detection sensor to receive moisture data and gas data, respectively, the reader configured to determine a type of incontinence based on the moisture data and gas data and transmit a signal indicative of the type of incontinence event to a server.

2. The incontinence detection system ofclaim 1, wherein the type of incontinence event includes a urinary incontinence and a fecal incontinence.

3. The incontinence detection system ofclaim 1, wherein the moisture data produced by the moisture detection sensor indicates whether moisture is detected in the incontinence detection pad.

4. The incontinence detection system ofclaim 1, wherein the gas data produced by the gas detection sensor indicates whether the targeted gas is detected in surrounding air near the incontinence detection pad.

5. The incontinence detection system ofclaim 1, wherein the targeted gas is methane.

6. The incontinence detection system ofclaim 1, wherein the reader is further configured to determine a level of the targeted gas present in surrounding air.

7. The incontinence detection system ofclaim 6, wherein

the reader is further configured to determine whether the level of the targeted gas exceeds a predefined threshold and issue an alert notification in response to a determination that the level of the targeted gas is greater than the predefined threshold, and

the predefined threshold is based on a level of the targeted gas normally found in the atmosphere.

8. The incontinence detection pad ofclaim 1, wherein the moisture detection sensor is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag with a plurality of electrodes coupled to the RFID tag.

9. The incontinence detection pad ofclaim 1, wherein the moisture detection sensor is configured to communicate with the reader that evaluates the transmitted signal to determine the status of the incontinence detection pad.

10. The incontinence detection pad ofclaim 9, wherein the reader is an RFID reader.

11. The incontinence detection pad ofclaim 1, wherein the reader is further configured to wirelessly communicate with the server to alert a caregiver of the status of the incontinence detection pad.

12. The incontinence detection pad ofclaim 11, wherein the server is included in a nurse call system.

13. The incontinence detection pad ofclaim 11, wherein the server is included in an electronic medical record (EMR) system.

14. The incontinence detection pad ofclaim 11, wherein the server is configured to communicate with a mobile device of a caregiver.

15. The incontinence detection pad ofclaim 1, wherein the server is configured to communicate with a smart device of a caregiver.

16. The incontinence detection pad ofclaim 11, wherein the reader is further configured to communicate with the server to alert a caregiver of the status of the incontinence detection pad via a wired connection.

17. The incontinence detection pad ofclaim 16, wherein the wired connection comprises a nurse call cable.

18. An incontinence detection system comprising:

an incontinence detection pad;

a first moisture detection sensor coupled to the incontinence detection pad and configured to detect a presence of moisture in the incontinence detection pad;

a second moisture detection sensor coupled to the first moisture detection sensor via a tunnel defined within a fluid impermeable material, the tunnel containing a moisture wicking material; and

a reader communicatively coupled to the first and second moisture detection sensors to receive moisture data, the reader configured to transmit a signal indicative of a type of incontinence event to a server.

19. The incontinence detection system ofclaim 18, wherein the first moisture detection sensor is configured to transmit first moisture data to the reader, the second moisture detection sensor is configured to transmit second moisture data to the reader, and the first and second moisture data are indicative of a presence or absence of moisture detected at the corresponding sensor.

20. The incontinence detection system ofclaim 18, wherein the reader is configured to determine a time between a time at which the first moisture sensor detected a presence of moisture and a time at which the second moisture sensor detected a presence of moisture.

21. The incontinence detection system ofclaim 18, wherein the reader is configured to determine a travel time of detected moisture between the first moisture sensor and the second moisture sensor, and the travel time is a time difference between a time at which the first moisture sensor detected a presence of moisture and a time at which the second moisture sensor detected a presence of moisture.

22. The incontinence detection system ofclaim 21, wherein the moisture data is timestamped when transmitted to the reader.

23. The incontinence detection system ofclaim 21, wherein the reader is configured to (i) compare the travel time with a predefined threshold, and (ii) determine a type of incontinence event based on the travel time between the first and second moisture detection sensors.

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